Linotype-machine.



PATENTED APR. 18, 1905.

R. M. BEDELL.

LINOTYPE MACHINE.

APPLIOATION FILED FEB. 4, 1905 WITNESSES:

ATTORNEY Y NITED STATES Patented April 18, 1905.

PATENT OFFICE.

RICHARD M. BEDELL, OF BROOKLYN, NEIV YORK, ASSlGNOR TO MERGEN- THALER LINOTYPE COMPANY, A CORPORATION OF NE\V YORK.

MACHINE.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 787,821, dated April 18, 1905.

Application filed February 4, 1905. Serial No. 244,208.

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Be it known that I, RICHARD M. BunnLL, of Brooklyn, county of Kings, and State of New York, have invented a new and useful 1mprovement in Linotype-Machines, of which the following is a specilication.

My invention has reference to the keyboard and escapemcnt mechanisms employed in the connnercial Mergenthaler linotypc machine IQ for the purpose ofreleasing the matrices successively from the magazine in the order in which their characters are to appear in print. The general organization of these machines is represented in United States Letters Pat- 5 entof Hergenthaler, Nos. 436,532 and 557,000,

and the details of the parts to which my invention has special reference are shown in United States Letters Patent to Dodge, No. 530,931.

The cscapcments controlling the discharge of matrices from the respective channels of the magazine are actuated by vertical reeds drawn downward by springs and lifted when the matrices are to be discharged by under- 5 lying yokes or levers, each containing a cam, which acts upon and receives rotary motion from an underlying constantly-rotating rubber roll. The yokes are held normally in an elevated position, with their cams out of con- 3 tact with the rubber roll and at rest. Fingerkey connections release the yokes and permit them to fall, so that their cams may frictionally engage with the driving-roll, the effect being to rotate the cam and cause it to rise above its original position in order to actuate the overlying reed and escapement.

in order to permit the series of yokes, usu ally ninety in number, to be arranged side by side within the narrow limits required, they 4 are arranged in two series, extending alternately to the rightand left of the central line. This necessitates the use of a corresponding pair of rolls, every alternate cam receiving motion from one roll, while the intermediate cams receive motion from the other.

In the composition of a line under commercial conditions it is necessary that the matrices shall be released in very rapid succession and that they shall be assembled in the line in the order in which they are re- 5 leased. The intervals between the release of the successive matrices are exceedingly short. it frequently happens that from three to live matrices are falling at one time in their course to the line. It follows, therefore, that the slightest irregularity or hesitation in the action of the parts will seriously affect the interval between the action of the linger-key and the time when the corresponding matrix is released. In practice it is found that the cams do not always engage the driving-rolls with the same degree of friction or begin their rotation in equal intervals after the ac tion of the linger-key. This is due mainly to the fact that when there are more cams in action on one roll than on the other the greater resistance to the rotation of the lirst roll will cause it to lag or hesitate and its driving-belt to slip or stretch, so that the escapements receiving motion therefrom will fail to respond as speedily as those receiving motion from the other roll. Hercto'fore the two rolls have been driven independently by friction-belts engaging pulleys at their ends. lt'frequcntly happened that when one roll was subjected to materially greater resistance than the other in overcoming the strong springs used in connection with the escapemcnt reeds there would be a slight but very serious lessening of its speed, and consequently an irregular rclcase of the matrices, with serious transpositions in the line. in order to overcome this diliiculty, I impart motion primarily to one of the rolls only and connect the same with the companion roll or gear or other equivalent positively-acting connection,whereby the two rolls are compelled to turn in unison. Owing to the interdependence of the parts throughout the keyboard and escapcmcnt system, this arrangement of the rolls to turn in exactly equal times is found to greatly improve the action of the machine, so that it becomes possible to carry on composition without danger of transpositions at far greater speed than under the old construction.

Referring to the drawings, Figure 1 is a perspective view showing the two drivingrolls and their connecting-gear. Fig. 2 is a vertical cross-section through the lower part of the keyboard mechanism. Fig. 3 is a diagram showing a side elevation of the magazine and the keyboard connections.

Referring to the drawings, A represents the fixed inclined magazine, having a series of grooves or channels through which the matrices standing on edge descend by gravity and from which they are delivered one at a time by means of the escapements B, arranged one at the lower end of each channel.

, Each escapement is acted upon constantly by a spring h, tending to hold it in one position. Its position is reversed by means of the vertically-reciprocating reed or bar D, drawn downward by strong springs G and terminated directly above and out of contact with a vertically-swinging yoke E, carrying a vertical cam F, standing normally at rest above and out of contact with a constantly-rotating horizontal roll G. The yokes are held normally in elevated positions by angular latches H, controlled through vertical bars I by finger-keys K. The cams F when raised are held against rotation by fixed stops L.

When a finger-key is actuated, the latch or dogH is withdrawn and the yoke E permitted.

to fall until its cam F rests upon the roll G. Frictional engagement causes the rotation of the cam, which acts to lift the yoke above its original position, so that it in turn lifts the reed D and reverses the escapement B, thereby discharging a matrix. The dog H immediately resumes its first position, so that the descending yoke is arrested in its original position with its cam F out of contact with the underlying roll.

It will be observed that the yokes of the two series acting on alternate reeds extend to the right and left and that there is a roll G under each series. These rolls extend entirely across the board from side to side.

The parts so far as described are constructed and operated in the ordinary manner.

Heretofore each roll G was provided at its outer end with a driving-pulley H and the two rolls were driven independently.

, I now provide one of the rolls, as shown in Fig. 1, with a belt-pulley H or equivalent means for imparting motion thereto, and I provide the respective rolls with gear-wheels M and N, engaging each other, so that motion is imported from the first roll to the second and the two rolls compelled to rotate in equal times. This arrangement insures a uniform action of the escapements as to time by the two rolls without regard to the number of escapements which may be in action at one time or the fact that one roll may be subjected to the resistance of a number of cams while the other is driving but a single cam.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim is 1. In a keyboard mechanism for releasing matrices, comprising two series of cam-actuated levers and two rolls for actuating the cams, positive driving connections between said rolls, whereby the actuation of the parts in equal'times by the two rolls is insured and the transposition of the matrices prevented.

2. In a linotype-machine, the combination of a series of matrix-releasing escapements, two series of yokes and connections for actuating the alternate escapements, actuatingcams mounted in said yokes, and two cam-actuating rolls and gears connecting said rolls.

3. In combination with the magazine, A, escapements B and springs 7), actuating-reeds, D, springs C, cam-carrying yokes E, arranged in two series, two corresponding rolls, positive driving connections between said rolls, and finger-key connections controlling the respective yokes, whereby the uniform delivery of the matrices is secured and transpositions prevented, notwithstanding the variable resistance offered to the respective rolls.

In testimony whereof I hereunto set my hand, this 26th day of January, 1905, in the presence of two attesting witnesses.

RICHARD M. BEDELL.

Witnesses:

JOHN R. ROGERS, DAVID S. KENNEDY. 

